Today, 21 December, marks the summer solstice. For the uninitiated, the latter is the southern hemisphere’s longest day. This usually occurs in late December. Representing the peak, daylight is lengthiest. In Sydney, that means fourteen hours and twenty five minutes of sunlight. From tomorrow, the number decreases. While this is transpiring, the North Pole experiences the reverse. Eskimos in their igloos will find out that they will have the year’s shortest day. Since the forecast is sunny, Aussies from across three time zones will be planning their next foray under the sun. As I was editing this piece, a fellow author from Scotland posted about the winter solstice. We follow each other’s blogs. Coincidence, perhaps?

‘Another year around the sun’

This event is dependent upon the earth’s revolution around the sun. Last year, the solstice took place on 22 December. This varies between state capitals. This year, Hobart clocks in at the longest, with fifteen hours and twenty two minutes of daylight. Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide follow suit. Brisbane has the shortest in the group, at thirteen hours fifty three minutes.

As mentioned, daylight will gradually reduce. Nights will slowly become longer, until the winter solstice in June. By then, daylight savings time will long be over. Before five pm, darkness will have arrived.

Two stories

The year is divided into two. For the first half, the eastern hemisphere faces the sun. Hence, the longer days. Meanwhile, the reverse is true for the western half. Away from the sun, their days are shorter. As the Earth revolves in its axis, this phenomenon is gradually upended. In case you’re wondering, 7:19pm was the precise time in Sydney where the Sun is closest all year.

While we are basking in sunlight, our northern brethren are enveloped in darkness. As they say, ‘There is no light without darkness.’

These two halves are microcosmic of life on earth. See also: good and evil. Morning and night. Yin and Yang. Land and water. Air and ground. Desert and jungle. Water and thirst. Offence and defence. You get the drill.

This occurrence has been happening for Millenia. The borders and our attire may have changed. The surroundings may have been updated. Our primal urges and needs remain.

‘A Tale of Two Christmases’

My former chiropractor had the luxury of experiencing multiple Christmases in both the States and Sydney. He spent twenty five years in the US, and the rest in Oz. When asked which edition he preferred, he answered, Sydney. Christmas is bright and sunny, unlike in his homeland: cold and dreary. The days are long and the people are out. The weather is perfecto.

Perhaps the arrival of the summer solstice would make us take an inventory of our affairs. This year, how much progress have we made? Have we put a smile on others’ faces? Made our part of the world a better place? Accomplished our goals?

The news reported how a billionaire giving away money in western Sydney. Of course, one doesn’t need to be a big shot to serve the community. In the long run, doing little things could make a big difference.

The tortoise and the hare

Life is about getting out of our shells. Remember the race in the fable? Are we tortoises or hares? Did we follow Prometheus’s lead? Calculated the risk by angering the gods? Will we still bring back pasalubong? This doesn’t mean going on a plane as the local Santa. Remembering your immediate family would suffice.

Our journey is also about wins and losses, and the space between them. This event confirms that we are in for the long haul. At first, the tortoise seems like an insult to compete in the dash. However, he knows his limitations. He does not let them define him. The rabbit is so confident that he naps for ages, convinced that the turtle will never beat him. Slowly but surely, the ninja turtle flips the script. He finesses the hurdle and outpoints the hare. Let the solstice be a reminder of the consequence of time. We will never get back our twenties, fifties, and eighties. The days may be fast, but the years drag on.

‘One Fine Day’

The summer solstice happens but once a year. Ergo, avid watchers could be forgiven. Best not to miss these happenings. It may not be as rare as a blood moon or meteor shower, but taking part in history has its advantages. No two solstices are the same. To paraphrase J.R.R. Tolkien, one solstice to rule em all.

Twenty years from now, we’d ask ourselves where we were on this day. Would it be particularly memorable? What would stand out: our activities, attire, or company? Will we have a eureka moment that would change the course of history? Or just another banal day in the grand scheme of things? Would our memory be so good that we could recall the songs we listened to on the auspicious day? Is it worth writing them on our journals, or on the Notes app on your Apple device?

Summers with carabaos

I am used to long days. In the Philippines, it was either hot or hotter. In summer, temps nudged forty degrees. The season meant mangoes, the beach, books, and ice cream. The NBA playoffs were in full swing. The contenders and pretenders would be revealed. The Yuletide season did not fall on the hottest months. Unlike in Sydney, there was no summer solstice or daylight savings. Brightness did not cease at 8pm, even on very humid days.

During summers, it seemed like everyone was out and about. Of course, this was a long time ago. No one would get vitamin D deficiency. These critters were active. Compare that to the kids here. They play with their Switch, iPads, Lego, or computer. As a result, the streets are lacking our youth.

Christmas habits

We are four sleeps away from Christmas Day. Time to listen to Yuletide songs. On the 24th, tune in to Carols by Candlelight. Take part in secret Santa. Attend Christmas Mass. Celebrate with the fam, before fighting the Boxing Day crowds. In ten days, 2024 will be history. We turn over a new page and prepare for the challenges and victories ahead.